







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I don't think it's normal, do you think it's normal? | |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | |
| Do you have any relatives in London? | |
| And on the ground floor we have easy access to the garden. | |
| Yeah, I wonder if we share the same taste in movies! | |
| No, I don't have one! | |
| Isn't that funny? | |
| I think I've got a better idea about what to do with the bed! | |
| That would be great! Do you think it's possible? | |
| Yes, sorry, everything seems filthy, but believe me, it's not my fault! | |
| Of course! It's my favourite pub. | |
| It's not for me, it's for the rice, dear! | |
| He looks like he is interested in you! | |
| Okay, how much salt do you want me to add? | |
| By the way, the deposit is £3,000 and non-negotiable... | |
| No, what is that? | |
| No worries, I have got a peeler for you! | |
| Yes, that's the one. | |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | |
| It's more than enough, I need some garlic, also. | |